A reader writes

I don’t get why this warrants any “Nay” votes, especially from 30 Republicans.

Shouldn’t “rape is bad” be a subject of bipartisan agreement?

Sadly, Jon Stewart seems to be the only one reporting on this.

Yeah, it does seem rather sensible to be opposed to rape. However, the Thing That Used to Be Conservatism never ceases to surprise me with its ability to indulge in nihilistic tribalism rather than actual critical thought. I think that, for many Thralls of the Thing That Used to be Conservatism, it is sufficient to know that a) Al Franken sponsored the amendment and b) Jon Stewart speaks of it favorably to simply ejaculate “YARRRRRRGHGHHHGH! Liberals!!!” and set fire to it. And, naturally, if someone like you or me mildly wonders, “What’s wrong with the amendment exactly?” you won’t get any real answers, because the whole “idea” thing seems not to be a major priority for the Right at present. Oddly, it’s become much more about Identity Politics and your membership in the Tribal Grouping. Did a liberal say, “It’s raining. Better grab an umbrella”? Well then, dammit, a true American will walk with bare head in the rain! So we get the bizarre spectacle of 30 Republicans standing tall for gang rape because Al Franken is against it.